Iowa State Upsets No. 8 Kansas, Continues Perfect Home Record
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State basketball made a statement last week, defeating two of their biggest rivals and solidifying their position as a contender in the Big 12 title race. On Saturday afternoon, the 18th-ranked Cyclones took down No. 8 Kansas 79-75 at Hilton Coliseum, completing a perfect week and maintaining their unblemished home record this season.
The victory was Iowa State’s second against a Kansas team in as many games, having defeated Kansas State in a controversial fashion on Wednesday. These two wins have propelled the Cyclones into the thick of the Big 12 title race, with Texas Tech currently holding the top spot with just one conference loss.
“Our standard is the top of the Big 12,” said Cyclone point guard Tamin Lipsey. “That’s what we’re competing for every day. That’s what we’ve worked for since this summer. We’ve put in countless hours in the gym and together off the court. We expect the most from ourselves and each other as a team.”
Hot Shooting Propels Cyclones to Victory
Iowa State’s victory over Kansas was fueled by one of their best 3-point shooting performances of the season. The Cyclones connected on a season-high 14 shots from beyond the arc, surpassing their previous best of 10 made 3-pointers against Eastern Illinois and Florida A&M in non-conference play.
Cyclone forward Tre King, who entered the game with a dismal 3-of-16 record from 3-point range, exploded for 21 points, including 4-of-7 from deep. Keshon Gilbert added 16 points for Iowa State, while Lipsey dished out eight assists.
Gilbert’s Clutch Three Seals the Win
Iowa State led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but Kansas rallied back to cut the lead to two points in the final minute. With the Cyclones clinging to a slim advantage, Gilbert delivered a clutch 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining, extending the lead to five points and effectively sealing the victory.
“I was lucky enough for it to go in,” Gilbert said.
Cyclones’ Improved Long-Range Shooting
Iowa State’s 14 made 3-pointers were a welcome sight for a team that has struggled from beyond the arc in Big 12 play. Entering Saturday’s game, the Cyclones ranked among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the conference, connecting on just 27.4% of their attempts.
“Give them credit,” said Kansas coach Bill Self. “Could we have done better? Yes. A lot of it was they made shots they hadn’t been making statistically this year. We played the percentages, thinking coming up here that would be the smart play and we could eliminate some ball-screen stuff by switching. They made us pay for it. They shot it great.”
Regular-Season Title Race Impacted by Expansion
The Big 12’s expansion to 14 teams this season (and next year’s move to 16) has resulted in the elimination of the round-robin schedule that was a hallmark of the league when it was a 10-team conference. As a consequence, this was the only regular-season meeting between Iowa State and Kansas, and the Cyclones will not play in Lawrence for the first time since 1921.
This change has sparked a debate about the significance of the regular-season league championship. Coach Self, who has won a staggering 16 regular-season Big 12 championships, believes that the unbalanced schedule diminishes the meaning of the title.
“I could be wrong on this, OK, I think winning the league mindset with players and fans is different than it was when you knew you were playing everybody twice,” Self said. “We’re playing Baylor twice. We’re playing Houston twice. We’re playing Oklahoma twice, who’s been in the top-10. We’re playing our rival K-State twice. I was in the Big Ten when it was an unbalanced league. A lot of times the favorite in the league is depending on who you get at home and who you get on the road. To me, it’s going to be a fabulous league. Whoever wins the league should be a one-seed. That’s how I see it, regardless. But I don’t think it has the same meaning, at least when you go into a locker room and you have the standings up there and it’s uneven and you’re not playing the same people. I don’t think it has the same bearing right now as what it’s had in years past.”
Longtime Official John Higgins Honored
Before the game, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard presented John Higgins, a longtime referee known for his shock of blonde hair and his work in multiple Final Fours, with a framed picture of Hilton Coliseum. Higgins, who hails from nearby Omaha, retired following last season after an illustrious 35-year career that included 29 NCAA Tournaments, nine Final Fours, and two national title games.
Up Next for the Cyclones
After a grueling week that included two high-intensity games and unfounded allegations of huddle spying by Kansas State, Iowa State will have a chance to catch their breath. The Cyclones will not have their typical midweek game and will instead face No. 14 Baylor in Waco on Saturday. The Bears, who have lost their last two games, both on the road, will be looking to bounce back against Iowa State, a team they lost to three times last season.